May 21, 2009

SPONSORSHIPS STARTING TO SURFACE FOR SYNCHRO EVENT

HUNTERSVILLE – Even in a tight economy, local businesses recognize the importance of supporting events that drive economic impact and bring international recognition to the Greater Charlotte area. That’s the case with both Bojangles’ Restaurants Inc. and Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Charlotte, two area businesses that have recently committed sponsorship support to the UANA Pan American Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships coming to Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics (HFFA) August 12-15, 2009.

“Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits supports Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics, and we believe this is a great event for families in the community,” said Randy Poindexter, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Bojangles’ Restaurants Inc. “Huntersville is one of the communities that Bojangles’ calls home. We believe in being good neighbors, and we like to support events that our customers enjoy.

“We like to say that we are ‘refusing to participate’ in the recession,” Poindexter added. “Sponsoring family-friendly events is one of the things we’ve done throughout our history and will continue to do in the future.”

Brad Grice, Territory Sales Manager for Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Charlotte, echoes that sentiment. “Coca-Cola has been in partnership with the Town of Huntersville and Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics since the facility’s inception. We are proud to be associated with both and are especially excited about opportunities like the synchronized swimming event at HFFA. This type of event allows us to expose our brands to many different nations, ages, and ethnic backgrounds.”

Sponsorships Still Available

Sponsorships for the synchronized swimming event are still available at all levels of investment. These include naming opportunities, on-site branding and exposure, hospitality, and a variety of other benefits for the event and its related community outreach activities, including a free community day (Thursday, August 13) and a family festival (Saturday, August 15). Involvement in the event can also be customized to meet the specific needs of any partner.

“Events like this have a proven, positive economic impact on our community, even during difficult times,” said Molly Burroughs, HFFA’s executive director. “Involvement in this event is a way for businesses of all sizes to help make a difference and connect directly with our spectators, participants, and members. We are grateful to the many companies who have pledged their support, and we look forward to creating new relationships around this event and beyond.”

For more information or to inquire about event sponsorship, please contact Molly Burroughs at (704) 766-2222 or mburroughs@huntersville.org.

About the UANA Pan American Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships:

Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics is hosting the best junior synchronized swimmers from the Americas and the Caribbean for three days of team, duet, and solo competition. It’s the Pan American Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships, and it’s coming to HFFA August 12-15. Event partners include Bojangles’ Chicken ‘n Biscuits, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Charlotte, Just Fresh, LKN Sports Grille, Prickly Pear, and Red Rocks Cafe. Tickets go on sale June 1. For event tickets, schedules, and information, visit hffa.com/syncorswim.

About Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics (HFFA):
Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics is about family, fitness and fun. Dedicated HFFA staffers produce an exciting variety of programs and partnerships that connect the community and enable members to experience and achieve the most in health, wellness, and total fitness. Built in 2001, the 88,000-square-foot HFFA facility features state-of-the-art aquatic and fitness components, including a 50-meter pool, a 25-yard warm water pool, an outdoor family fun pool, full-court gymnasium, complete fitness center, and group exercise studio.  As the only public facility in the Southeast with an Olympic-sized, 50-meter competition pool and 10-meter dive tower, HFFA regularly hosts aquatics events with up to 2,000 spectators for regional, national, and international swim and dive competitions. For more information, please call (704) 766-2222 or visit www.hffa.com.

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